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The Living Room
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants American (Traditional) Lounges, Breakfast & Brunch, American (Traditional) [Edit]
101 Atlantic Ave(between Richmond St & Cross St)
Boston, MA 02110
Neighborhood: North End
(617) 723-5101
- Nearest Transit:
-
Atlantic Ave @ Commercial Wharf (4)
Aquarium Station - Outbound (Blue Line)
Aquarium Station - Inbound (Blue Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Validated, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Tim R. said: "I can't say enough good things about this place. I didn't test them on their cocktail skills, and I didn't try any of their more adventurous food, but here's what I liked: 1. This is a classic, and classy, bar. Lots of brass and dark…" read more »
151 reviews for The Living Room
Review Highlights
"Warm colors, couches, dim lights."
(in 41 reviews)
"...the calamari, spinach and artichoke dip and southwestern..."
(in 4 reviews)
"mon-fri half price appetizers from 4-7pm."
(in 3 reviews)
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151 reviews in English
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Review from Ellen H.
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
From Wellington Station, I rode to the bean -
Arriving quite promptly at 11:15.
Down Atlantic Avenue I walked but a mile,
In my five inch heels it was quite a trial.
Popped up to the door all ready to play,
and was told by the doorman "I'm sorry, but stay.
We're at max capacity, too many right now,
You can come in when another comes out."
With a huff and a puff I plopped in a seat,
but a drunk girl came out in only a beat.
I entered with glee and went straight to the bar,
but all others were served first! Both near and both far.
Was I some shadowy figure? A spirit? A ghost?
Why won't he give me the thing I want most?
Finally, finally! He catches my eye,
I order my drink - he makes it on the fly,
Seven a piece for a savory sip,
Two, three, and four and I started to skip.
Well, technically "dougie" but who's to split hairs?
The music was great and the party was there!
Despite small square footage, we danced and we sang
A party of eight - we were quite a large gang,
But for price, and for space, and for music and style
I give my four stars, or three point five with a smile.
One star is off for the wait at the bar -
Bartender, you're not as hot as you think that you are.
And a half point is off for the tightness and door,
I like some more space, and getting in even more.
So overall, I will say I recommend to all -
Dress up or dress down and you'll still have a ball.
As always I'm here and I'm happy to help,
After all that is why we're all here on yelp!Listed in: Kick in the Pants
Comment from John H. of The Living Room 1/4/2012
Ellen, you could be writing copy for our ads! Never wait… More » -
Review from Frank W.
Cambridge, MA
9/27/2011
Not quite sure what all the hub-ub is about. It's a typical busy lounge with an unnecessary coat check and is packed too much so you don't get great service. Not sure what people are expecting.
Short jaunt outside of central North End. Have fairly expensive taps and drinks, but it's a good environment to go meet someone on the floor. Though I probably wouldn't come here alone, i'm not quite that much of a creeper.
Can't speak to the food. I know that the long islands got me trashed. But that's their job.
I ended up buying 2 beers, 2 drinks, and a round (5) shots. Cost me $65 before tip. I would say that's a bit expensive, but what do I know.
You pay for the loud music and abundance of gals on the dance floor.Comment from John H. of The Living Room 1/4/2012
Hi Frank. The "coat check" is actually the hostess, who… More » -
Review from mimi N.
Boston, MA
1/26/2012
It is a foo foo trendy bar with couches and lounge chairs in the bar area. Offer all kinds of martinis which were pretty good. A little expensive about $10-$12 per drink so I am only giving in 4 stars.
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Review from K T.
Boston, MA
12/19/2011
Good food, quiet at lunchtime. I got a wrap and avodcado and something egg rolls and I have no complaints. They have a bar, high top tables and some couches/coffee tables on the bar side.
Espresso martini was far too milky for my liking. -
Review from Jenn S.
8/8/2011
I've been wanting to go to The Living Room for YEARS. I have no idea why I had never been, but needless to say, I was rather excited when my friend picked it for his birthday dinner this past weekend. The 3 star average on here had me feeling hesitant, but I wanted to make up my own mind.
My friend made a reservation for 8pm for a large party, but apparently they called him that day and asked if he would mind pushing it to 8:30 (he didn't mind). We think it's because there was another large party right next to us and they didn't want to sit us at the same time...
Unfortunately, it was really hard to talk as a group, since we were at a long table. I was able to talk with the 4 people seated around me and that was pretty much it. The music and other diners didn't help with the noise level and near the end of the meal, the club music got LOUD.
The waitress was pretty inattentive. She took forever to greet us as we sat down in waves and never asked if we wanted drinks - we had to tell her we wanted them. And those drinks took a while to come out (the Riesling was fantastic though, and my friend's two drinks - the Jade Goddess and I can't remember the other one - were great as well).
As for the food.
The waitress eventually (I think this should have been put on the table either before we sat, or immediately) brought out a basket of soft pretzels with some cheese spread, which was a nice surprise. Some mustard would have been a nice touch, but this was unexpected, so I'm not complaining.
We started with a bunch of apps: The Cheeseburger Dip sounded intriguing, so we had to get that (basically spicy queso dip with some bits of meat. Good and we ate it all, but nothing spectacular); the Buffalo Chicken Dumplings were deep-fried, which I didn't expect, and were tasty, but not as great as I thought; the Southwestern Rolls were fatter than I expected (more like an eggroll than a spring roll) and not bad, not amazing. Overall, the apps were fattening and tasty, but not the most amazing I've ever had.
For my main course, I tried to be healthy and went with the Cobb Salad (I know, not the healthiest salad!) - as did my friend. The waitress forgot our chicken and brought it out on separate plates. Interesting. Overall, it was fine. Not the most amazing salad, but it was fine. My husband got the Italian Chicken Panini, which he said had a "dishwashing detergent taste." Possibly the oil on the sun-dried tomatoes? I tried a bite or two and coul taste what he meant, but it wasn't inedible. The waffle fries were not as crispy as I've had before, but I tend to like my fries a bit "soggier." Taste-wise, they were yummy.
The waitress DID bring out a small molten-lava cake for the birthday boy and I don't think they charged us for it, but I could be mistaken.
The final bill came to about $310 with tip & tax, which is not bad for 10 people with apps, drinks and entrees. We paid only $60 for the 2 of us and I found that VERY reasonable, especially considering the location and ambience!
Would I come back? Possibly. I bet it's a great place for a bachelorette party! -
Review from Tom K.
3/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Brunch Review!
The Living Room was the latest destination of my Sunday brunch crew and for the most part we were pretty indifferent or disappointed with the place. 2.5 stars.
I've been here before for drinks but never for food. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'll make my way back here. All in all, the drinks were good, though nothing too imaginative or noteworthy. The service was good as well, not over the top attentive, but not notably lacking either.
The food however left much to be desired. The menu features many of the brunch standards and some unique items. We started with the funnel cake with strawberries as an appetizer. Unfortunately, the funnel cake lacked substance and strawberries tasted like they came from the frozen food section. For my entree, I considered the eggs benedict but settled on the poached eggs with crab cakes. I'm fairly certain neither would have helped this review, as everyone's eggs were overcooked- my poached eggs were cooked solid. By contrast, the potatoes were very undercooked. The best part of the plate were the crab cakes which had a bit of a fishy smell to them but tasted great.
All in all a lackluster experience. I wouldn't recommend this place for brunch, but its not a bad place to come if you're just looking for drinks or a couch to hang out on.Listed in: Sunday Brunches
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Review from Chris M.
Jamaica Plain, MA
5/10/2011
My god, they serve brunch? Might have to go splurge some morning when I feel like hauling my ass to the north end (you never know.)
For some reason their wine menu is too intriguing to order beer. And you can eat and drink comfortably, too, in their couches. Innovative. -
Review from Janet G.
Needham Heights, MA
1/19/2011
Not impressed...at all
I've actually wanted to go here for a while (not sure why). Finally came here for a birthday party/goodbye party. For a place called Living Room, I thought there'd be more area to lounge. There was a private party in the side room, so maybe there was more there?
They had a variety of martinis which were....kind of creative? At first glance sounded pretty good...but then after a couple minutes I was thinking..you're using what liquor?!? The combos didn't sound very tasty. I did like the drink I ordered though..the Jade Goddess. It had basil in it. My friend's drink, the Rising Sun, was decent.
I admit I liked the music but wasn't sure it fit the vibe. The bartenders were cute. The crowd (aside from the 30 Asians in the party) was not very diverse.
I did appreciate the $1 coat check.
Don't think I'll return. -
Review from Stephen L.
San Rafael, CA
8/27/2011
My living room has a better couch. Theirs has a WAY better bar! and more girls then my living room.
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Review from Adam P.
Somerville, MA
12/14/2010
excellent service, OK food, terrible management.
WARNING TO ALL GROUPS:
they charge a ridiculous "plate fee" of $2.50 per person if you bring in a birthday cake. what a way to not celebrate a birthday. i was there with a group, spent over $500 for 13 people and got charged almost $40 extra (w/tax/tip/fee) to bring a birthday cake. we tried to speak to the manager but they were extremely rude. this fee was not told to us when we called to make a reservation and its not listed on their website.
wont be going here again.Comment from John H. of The Living Room 12/30/2010
Restaurants are in the business of selling food. That is… More » -
Review from Neill K.
9/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
If I had a serious paper cut and was in need of the staff to bring me a band-aid...I would have bled to death!
Stopped by with a couple friends on a casual Sunday afternoon to have a drink and some apps before going on the 'tall ship' harbor cruise. Place was pretty empty, only three or four groups of people besides ourselves. We had given ourselves 1.5 to 2 hours to kill before we needed to board the ship so we were not in a hurry.
I preface this by stating that I waited tables in a bar/restaurant through college. *The waitress was HORRIBLE! After it took her twenty minutes to come and get our drink order...she had to return ten minutes later because she had forgot it! Four drinks...two were the same...and one was WATER! After about an hour since the first drinks we had to flag down another staff member to find our waitress so that we could have another round since we ALL had empty glasses. To top everything else off she was wearing sweat pants...and they were dirty. Come on, I know this place is called 'the living room' but you could at least dress like your expecting company.
My partner has said that they serve a pretty good time for the 'after work' crowd during the week? Well, I'm never going to find out. With all of the options in Boston's financial/north end area - this one will never get another dollar from me.
Love, NeillListed in: I'd rather pull my toe nails…
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Review from Elizabeth B.
Brookline, MA
1/30/2011
Pretty classy, pretty swanky, I like.
As expected (or maybe, just really really hoped for), the Living Room is filled with couches. Thank goodness, a bar in which you can actually sit.
There were about 16 different beers on tap, including Guinness and Chimay (Belgian), and several bottled beer as well, but I couldn't resist getting one of their martini specials after seeing all the martini glasses on ice. On ice! In front of a in-the-wall fish tank, no less. Now that's what I call swank.
The only downside was a vertically and chivalrously challenged gentleman who kept dancing up on my friend, even after she introduced the guy to her boyfriend. Eh, you win some you lose some.Listed in: Date Night
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Review from Dave B.
Boston, MA
7/25/2010
Awesome atmosphere with comfy sofas, cheap drink specials at night and a great place for a date!
Check out "appy" hour. -
Review from Cord P.
Somerville, MA
7/7/2011
I would recommend this spot to anyone who works in the area and is looking for a relaxed, comfortable, and affordable place to grab drinks/apps after work with friends. If you eat inside M-F, they offer 1/2 priced apps until 7pm. This DOES NOT apply if you eat on the patio so keep that in mind.
The apps are your typical fat kid fan favorites (hamburger dip, toquitos, sliders etc) but I am super into the blue cheese waffle fries. They are not part of the app menu so they are full priced but super yummy! Steer clear of the nachos...ordered them once w/ a group of friends and we universally agreed they were gross. The rest of the apps are good! Not mind blowing but just good, yummy food that fills you up and for a great price! -
Review from Darin C.
New York, NY
5/22/2011
Terrible customer service!! We made a reservation for 12 for a graduation party three months in advance. Too bad another party had twice as many people show up as their reservation and they gave them OUR seats. Needless to say we went elsewhere. Never going back.
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Review from Kurt V.
Brookline, MA
9/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
Let me start off and say this place LITERALLY has the coldest beer. Or at least the coldest Coors Lite. I am not even a big fan of Coors but because it is so cold, I keep coming back.
The aesthetics in this place are very nice. Warm colors, couches, dim lights. The older woman bar tender (Bev, I think) is very nice and demands respect so be on your best behavior. Some of the other bartenders are not very good. I went there when it was just me and a friend and he asked us if we needed another beer and we said yes and he forgot immediately. How is that possible? Blew my mind.
I have order food here twice and both times I was pretty pleased. The first time I was just looking for a cheap quicker filler upper. So my friends and I each got our own plate of some type of fries topped with something. I got the pizza fries. They were bangin. There was a lot of food too and I ended up not eating almost half of it. The others (gravy, cheese) were good too but not as good as mine. The second time a friend and I got the taquitos and spinach and artichoke dip. Both were pretty good and filled me up.
I always will tell people to sit at the bar any place you go but in this case chilling on a couch drinking a beer can't be a bad choice. I still only sit at the bar but I would like to come back and sit and eat and drink on a fluffy couch. I will surely be back to try some more and sit on one of those couches.Comment from John H. of The Living Room 10/15/2010
Not only do we have the coldest beer in town, we are adding… More » -
Review from Marcus C.
Boston, MA
11/23/2010
I was glad our bartender was so supportive of me ordering all the dessert-type drinks on the menu (from least favorite to tastiest):
* Chocolate Kiss
* Tiramisu
* Butterfinger
By the third, my sweet tooth was finally satisfied. -
Review from Nick H.
3/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
1. Have you visited the Living Room within the last year?
-Yes
-No
2. How long did you have to wait to order a drink at our establishment?
-Less than 5 minutes
-5-10 minutes
-10-15 minutes
-15-20 minutes
-More than 20 minutes
3. What did you think of the crowd at our place?
-Rockstars and Cool Kids
-Yuppie Stiffs
-Joe the Plumber
-Yah Dudes
-Bobos
4. How was the ambiance at the Living Room?
-VIP
-Dive
-Chill Lounge
-Sports Bah
-Oontz Oontz
5. What could we have done to improve your experience?
*********************(N=1)************************
1. Yes
2. Less than 5 minutes
3. Yuppie Stiffs, Bobos
4. Chill Lounge
5. Better beer selection -
Review from Leighann F.
Astoria, Queens, NY
8/21/2008
A word to the wise (notice I do not say FROM the wise...eh?)
Come here on a random night of the week, after you'd already had dinner and are just looking to chill and have a few **more** drinks. This is how I came about the Living Room...pleasantly full from a spectacular meal with nothing on the agenda except some more imbibing and conversation.
It was pretty dead (i.e., no fools, loud drunken people, or snarky suit types)...just a few folks lounging around on the couches and sitting at the bar. The music was awful, but at optimal volume for conversation that could still be considered intimate. No shouting...no whispering. Jussssst right.
There's a beautiful fish tank inset on one wall. The couches are so comfortable I could have fallen asleep right there. A random guy at the bar bought us shots...we were some of the last people in there at closing time. The Living Room provided a nice, random wrap-up to a great evening. -
Review from Mary P.
Roslindale, MA
1/29/2009
Unfortunately, my friends and I decided to spend New Years Eve at The Living Room. After paying over $200 for entrance, mediocre food and one glass of champagne, an EMPLOYEE (bartender) of this establishment actually screamed obscenities at my party. Why? Because we asked her to shut the door while we waited in line for the ladies room. She was holding the door open, letting in frigid air so that she and her friends could smoke cigarettes and weed. While working.
After being called every name under the sun, I notified a hostess who did nothing about it. When I went to order a drink, the bartender scowled, whispered and pointed at us. When I emailed the manager the next day, he promised a prompt resolution. 29 days later, he finally emailed to say that nothing would be done. NOTHING.
I am not expecting a lot but really? When I drop a decent amount of money I expect yummy food and a fun time. Not bland, boring food and to be screamed at in public.
THIS PLACE IS TERRIBLE. It is a waste of your money for horrible service, no parking, mediocre food and overpriced drinks.
STAY AWAY! -
Review from Rachel S.
6/26/2007
I'm not sure where all the favorable reviews are coming from for this place. I was there last Saturday and I didn't get the "ooh this place rocks" vibe at all.
Drink prices were alright, I guess. $4 for a bud light isn't too alarming. The staff was pleasant, aside from the airhead bartender who couldn't figure out the total of four $1 dollar bills. I was with a bachelorette party and we were there to party, drink and spend money.
However, the SCREAMING, SQUEALING "regular" girls that were swarming around, jumping on different guys were unbearable. Over tan, over-boobied, overrated plastic girls who know everyone, only because they probably go to the Living Room every weekend and have slept with the bouncers.
Also, I had the pleasure of watching a bald meathead and his equally bald friends yell, "I need to get laid tonight! I don't care who the bitch is."
It was then I made my exit. The outside seating was nice and chill.
I get that this probably isn't my usual scene on an average night, but now I reminded why I stopped going to places like these... ummm.. about five years ago.Listed in: Places That Suck
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Review from Leif H.
Rochester, NY
7/18/2006
A decent little joint, kind of an odd setup with couches, bar tables and a backroom for the restaurant. The service was meh and less attentive as the evening went on. We experienced a half hour wait or more between rounds of drinks.
Trivias on Tuesday when we were there, which was fun. Crowd was mixed and mainly large groups, so if you're going it alone looking for singles yah might wanna look else where.
Bar tender or waiter screwed up my buddys Dirty Martini, never knew dirt could be crystal clear! -
Review from Suzie S.
Boston, MA
9/26/2008
After reading through every single one of these reviews, I went here with two friends for dinner last night. I had a decently-priced hard cider and the grilled chicken parm. A word to the wise: if you do get the chicken parm, get it in the sandwich, not the wrap. I, unfortunately, got it in a wrap form, hoping to avoid unnecessary mess on my face. It tasted like they forgot the sauce and the cheese, basically grilled chicken in a tortilla wrap. Also, the wrap itself was soggy on the bottom, like they had heated it up in the microwave but not put a paper towel between it and the plate (I have quite enough experience microwaving hot pockets to forgo this amateur mistake).
On the plus side: the shoestring fries were amazing.
Both my friends liked their meals: the warm turkey club and the chicken parm (on a sandwich!). Our waitress really couldn't care less about our table. And here's a funny sidenote: one of my friends ordered a coke, and it tasted funny so she told our waitress, to which the waitress replied, "Oh yeah! We get all our fountain soda from city soda, so it tastes awful - I have to bring my own diet coke cans to work when I come! Haha!" SERIOUSLY? Wouldn't this have been more appropriate to tell us before she ordered the drink?
I really couldn't understand all the reviews criticizing the atmosphere of this place, until I went. What the hell are they trying to do there? Like the others say, it's full of loud yuppies blowing off steam after a hard day at Johnny Whatsitscompany. One man in particular was the loudest man I've seen in quite some time, apparently already drunk at 7 pm, looking about 35-40 in age, and probably should have just went home to his wife and kids.
Living room, I will not be back. -
Review from Eric Y.
Somerville, MA
12/21/2010
Went here for a friend's bday dinner with 13 people in our party and was rudely informed of their "cake sharing fee" of $2.50 pp when you bring your own cake in. I have NEVER heard of this before and everyone in our group was shocked and disturbed by this policy.
When we tired to speak to the mgr on duty he was rude and did not want to help us at all. So they wanted to charge us over $30 so they could cut and plate the cake that we purchased and on top of that would add 18% gratuity as well. I have no problem with the automatic tip for large parties, but they wanted to make even more $$ for us bringing our own cake.
Morale of the story..they lost all of our business and we will not return here again. The funny thing was that the table next to us (party of 8) was also discussing the same issue and was quite upset about it as well. There are soo many other options in the area for dinner so no need to return here in the future.Comment from John H. of The Living Room 12/30/2010
The real moral of the story is to always inquire before you… More » -
Review from Shaina P.
10/30/2008
I like to go to the Living Room to drink.
Not sure I would ever eat here. Should I?
I don't advise sitting on the couches late night because either you'll likely be molested or fall asleep and then be touched inappropriately (okay I made that up). However, they are very comfy and waitresses will bring you drinks. How do waitresses find the people who ordered from them so effectively?? Not counting when you're sitting on a couch. Amazing.
It's a decent size and people don't seem to hang around the bar too much since there are two excessive support columns blocking it, so ordering a drink is pretty easy.
I think I find the drink selections slightly meager, so I usually opt for a Makers and Coke or a G&T. Something simple, but something that will throw me over the edge. -
Review from Jack M.
Boston, MA
8/3/2009
All attitude, no substance.
Are you a skinny minny broad who likes to see and be seen and wear skin-tight clothes and go to bars/clubs with absolutely no substance either in the place itself or in your pretty little head? If so, then THIS is your place! Congratulations! You stay here. I'm heading to the Black Rose..... -
Review from Alex C.
Chelsea, MA
11/11/2010
Hi All. My second review so far and I have to say I wouldn't have bother unless a place really, really impressed me.
Well - Living Room impressed me. My husband took me here after reading one of the reviews from Yelp. Didn't really know what to expect. But yes - it is set up as a living room.
We were greeted immediately and our waitress was nice and attentive. Our food was fabulous! The buffalo chicken wrap is wonderfully tasty with just enough spice and sauce to eat all of it. Definitely ask for the waffle fries with any meal - they are very tasty.
We went on Board Game Night (Wednesday)! And sure enough, we played the game 'Sorry'!. I cannot believe I was even playing it. It was fun to play but would have rather played 'Worst-Case Scenario'. The cards were missing.
Overall, we love this place. This fish tank is beautiful and the atmosphere is just perfect - not too low in lights and nice music.
We are fan! Can't wait to go again! -
Review from Andrea M.
Boston, MA
11/4/2006
Comfy loveseats and couches, a warm fireplace, and a big screen TV-sound like your BFF's house? It's the living room! Totally fabulous, the LR is my "never fail" place, especially for these cold winter nights!
The cosmos are unique, the appetizers affordable, and the crowd very chill. If you can't make it for drink nights, they do a pajama brunch on Sundays!
Perhaps a downside- the place closes at 1am.
. -
Review from Arestia R.
Boston, MA
5/5/2009
I am giving this a fourth star because we went on a Monday and it was SUCH A DEAL. All appetizers are half priced from 4-7pm and Coors light run a cool $2.50. Also, the appetizers are quite the portions, so four of us enjoyed three plus two beers each and walked out of there stuffed and happy for $11 each! Not bad for a Monday night. We ordered the calamari, spinach and artichoke dip and southwestern egg rolls and all three were delicious and satisfying. I even saw other stuff I wanted to order - great starter menu.
Also because it was a Monday, we easily got a couch and table and could really enjoy ourselves because there was barely anyone in the place.
In the end, I'm not sure I would come here to mingle or really any other night of the week, but for a Monday, you better believe I'll return. Great time to come and kick back with friends without breaking the bank. -
Review from Marissa P.
Dallas, TX
3/27/2006
The ambiance here doesn't remind me much of a living room. The space is a little too dark, and not very intimate. I'd be more apt to call it the bar with lots of comfy seating. As for the food, I can definitely get much better served up in front of the big screen tv in my own living room. We sampled from 7 different apps, and none were remarkable. The entrees were all also very average.
One redeeming quality - the martinis were very tasty. I'd recommend the French, the Espresso and the Vanilla Bean - all ranked the highest after being taste-tested amongst our large table of 18. Though I doubt that's enough to bring any of us back to The Living Room. -
Review from Mihir S.
Chicago, IL
3/15/2006
Food is nothing special. If I was planning to stay there the whole night then I'd eat there again.
I like this space. Somewhat loungey without the pretentiousness. Basically like the name, it feels somewhat like a living room (if you can get one of the couches). Decent drinks and reasonable prices. They do need a better light beer selection. Now that I am into the light beers, I'd prefer the Sam Adams light which they don't serve. Or other more flavorful light beers. No bud, coors, miller please.
I feel a bit out of it there as it does not have a very diverse crowd. Could be just me. -
Review from Felecia C.
Boston, MA
12/13/2006
The Living Room is like a pseudo-upscale Our House for the non-hipster Downtown Young Professional. Instead of chugging $2 Brubakers on a scuzzy yard sale leftover sofa, you drink $10 cosmos whilst lounging on a plush couch, schmoozing instead of playing drunken Operation.
It's a decent place to meet up with friends, and arriving early will help in scoring a couch. Having been here on a Saturday night, there was a sizeable crowd, but the bar service was prompt and the music wasn't so loud that you couldn't have a conversation.
I would have liked to see more of the "living room" aspect. Four couches did not suffice for such a large crowd.
I had a good time here, mostly because I was with good friends, but I would not go out of my way to hang out here. As long as it's down the street, sometimes I just prefer drunken Connect Four. -
Review from Cleopatra P.
Allston, MA
2/2/2009
I came here yesterday with a big group for a late brunch. Cutesily-enough, the Living Room is set up like an actual living room, with couches and coffee tables in the main room in lieu of chairs and dining tables. This setup is great for lounging and conversing, but can pose some logistical problems for those who are looking to eat (the coffee tables are much lower than the average dining room table, which can make leaning down for a bite rather awkward).
The food was actually very good, and the prices entirely reasonable. I ordered a hamburger with avocado and was surprised and pleased to see the better part of a whole peeled avocado on my burger. The waffle fries that came with my meal were also delicious, although the ultra-girly strawberry champagne cocktail I ordered beforehand was unfortunately lackluster at best (and tasted more like cranberry to my picky palette).
The service here was good. Our waitress was very accommodating of our large, rather raucous group, many of whom had special orders and substitutions (I'm so used to getting an automatic side-eye from waitstaff when dining in large groups that I've grown to really appreciate a server who can wait on a dozen odd people without getting too flustered). After reading the other reviews, I'm not sure if I would come here at night (TLR seems like the kind of establishment that turns into yuppie hell when the sun goes down), but it's a solid North End brunch spot. -
Review from Rozina K.
Boston, MA
12/9/2007
Wandered in here last night after dinner in the North End with some girlfriends. Very, very average. There were way too many people in there for my taste and the bar was somewhat difficult to access. The bartender at the main bar was sort of spacey and rude. If you're looking to get a drink, try the smaller bar which looks like a martini bar but has everything the main bar does. The music was awesome (mostly top 40 but I like that when I go out), but there was no dancing, which I was disappointed about.
Word to the wise: beware of the drunks. I almost got soaked with someone's drink twice. -
Review from Lauren D.
Jamaica Plain, MA
5/4/2008
I went to the Living Room for the first time for an engagement party for a really great friend of mine from college. I have heard so many great things about this place, which almost talked it up too much. I didn't really think that this place was all that great. I liked it, but not somewhere I would go regularly. It's a fun place if you are into "cram-pointing" or being at a place with music, but no room to dance.
If it wasn't for my friends engagement party, I would have most likely given it a worse review. -
Review from Liana K.
6/12/2008
Bar/lounge- not too impressive, definietly better places in the area.
Now to the food, which is my usual motivation for seeing the outside world. Waffle fries!!!! THats all that needs to be consumed there besides alcohol. The bacon burger also helped to complete my meal.
On another lunch occassion, I've gotten the scapplops with rice ball and bok choy dish, which tasted pretty blend, but its hard to screw up scallops so I was content.. -
Review from Laura M.
North Waltham, MA
9/28/2006
Living room has a fun atmosphere, the whole restaurant is very dark though so you need to adjust your eyes! I've been here a few times, two times with only my girlfriends and once we allowed the boys to come. The food is actually very good and the martini's are delicious. If you want to just go for drinks for for it. The front of the restaurant is full of comfy couches and chairs to sit and drink!
This place is a great night out with the girls! Sit, chat, and drink martini's! Who wouldn't call that a great night? -
Review from Elaine Y.
Boston, MA
1/19/2010
Came here for brunch on Sunday...
There was no wait (which is never a good sign when nearby restaurants were absolutely packed) and we sat in the lounge area. The food was really standard, I mean what should I expect from a bar. The potatoes were dry and tasteless, the coffee was bland and awful. The poached eggs were tasteless and the muffin was dry. The waitress wasn't too attentive; we had to ask for extra coffee and water multiple times.
Apparently there was a football match going on that afternoon so people started coming in as we were leaving. The space actually has quite a few large TV's and couches for sports events. I would probably enjoy sitting on the couch with a beer and some bar snacks.
On a side note, the red velvet curtains all over the place are really cute. -
Review from DJ H.
Somerville, MA
4/1/2008
My mother never allowed us to eat in our own living room, so you can imagine the appeal when my friend suggested we meet here for drinks and apps. I never thought I would be prompted to write a food review on this establishment known more for it's drinks, but, after having this scallop appetizer, served on arugula with truffle oil....well I just had to. It has been almost a month since I met my friend at The Living Room for beverages and I cannot stop thinking about those scallops. Above my expectations for this place which I normally would only rely on for a pomegranate martini. (We also had the chicken fingers (to fill our drunk bellys!) which were also above average- great honey mustard!!!).
ALSO- They had trivia on this particular night...which was funfunfun! -
Review from Erin H.
6/21/2010
So, I went here on Saturday night for my best Friends birthday party (the big 25!) and she had reserved an area with a couple tables and chairs and a couch/lounge area with appetizers to be passed around.
I will say first off, it was a little too dim in there, they could have used a little more light, but the actual decor was pretty cute and you can't beat the location, you could smell the ocean when you were out side!
I didn't have any specialty martini's, but I was thoroughly enjoying my $2.50 Coors light pint drafts, those suited me just nice :)
The apps were surprisingly good, and the chicken taquitos were addictive!
We had a decent crowd of almost 25-30 people, but other than them I was NOT IMPRESSED BY THE CROWD! There were this crappy group of guys trying to move in on one of he reserved tables, and we tried to be nice and just ignore it, and then the guy started talking about my boobs in front of my boyfriend, HE WAS ASKING FOR TROUBLE!!!
My name kept his cool and we left shortly after that. Basically I enjoyed everything but the scummy guys that were inside that place.
